IceCap External Algae Scrubber, Small
SKU: IC-AGS-1EXTPRO
MSRP: $ 311.84
-
Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Natural Biological Nutrient Export: Uses natural turf algae to strip excess phosphates and nitrates out of the water column, lowering nuisance display algae and reducing water change cycles.
- Space-Saving External Plumbing: Designed to mount outside and directly above the sump waterline, completely freeing up valuable internal filtration chambers.
- Water-Cooled Internal 24V LEDs: Features enclosed IP67-rated grow lights that utilize moving tank water to cool the diodes, extending performance life without bulky external panels.
- Integrated Emergency Overflow: Built-in secondary emergency drain channel automatically bypasses water safely back to the sump if the primary mesh screens experience heavy growth blockages.
- Ready-To-Run Pump Package: Shipped complete with a dedicated energy-efficient IceCap EVO-1000 water feed pump and flexible vinyl connection lines.
- Industrial Cast Acrylic Casing: Precision-crafted from thick, high-clarity sheet acrylic with light-blocking accents to stop nuisance light bleed from triggering surrounding sump grime.
IceCap
Premium aquarium equipment without the premium price. Protein skimmers, pumps, reactors, heaters & more.
IceCap Small External PRO Algae Turf Scrubber (SKU: IC-AGS-1EXTPRO)
The IceCap Small External PRO Algae Turf Scrubber (SKU: IC-AGS-1EXTPRO) is an authentic, high-capacity biological filtration device distributed by CoralVue to naturally control and reduce dissolved organic waste inside marine reef setups and high-load freshwater displays up to 100 gallons. While typical filtration protocols rely on synthetic chemical resins or mechanical media that require constant replacement, an Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS) works on a simple, eco-friendly premise: fighting algae with algae. By creating a perfect micro-environment specifically optimized for high-speed green hair algae growth inside an enclosed chamber, the system forces the algae to consume local nitrate and phosphate ions directly from the moving water. This stars out unmanaged hair algae and cyano blooms inside your primary viewing display.
What elevates the IceCap PRO External Scrubber line above traditional, open-box DIY alternatives is its Enclosed Internal LED Engine. Standard scrubbers often utilize external, air-cooled light bars bolted onto clear sidewalls, resulting in massive light spill, heat buildup, and dangerous salt-creep scale accumulation. The IC-AGS-1EXTPRO incorporates specialized, dual-sided 24V grow LED panels completely enclosed within the watertight acrylic frame itself. As your feed pump pushes tank water across the rough-textured plastic mesh screen, the moving fluid actively cools the internal LEDs, ensuring optimal operational temperatures and extended diode lifespans. Outfitted with heavy-duty quick-release union connections and an emergency backup safety overflow drain, this external water polisher delivers consistent performance without threatening household floors.
Key Features
Dramatically Improves System pH Stability: Running the internal grow LEDs on a reverse-daylight schedule actively processes carbon dioxide at night, stabilizing evening pH drops.
Effortless Algae Harvesting Tooling: Built with heavy-duty quick-release unions that let you slide out the primary spray bar and texturized mesh screen in seconds for sink scraping.
Prevents Flooding Disasters: Engineered with a secondary emergency overflow drain slot positioned above the primary screen tracks to seamlessly handle thick, overgrown sheets.
(Note: This retail external kit comes complete with (1) Small PRO Acrylic Scrubber Housing, (1) Texturized Mesh Screen, (1) IceCap EVO-1000 Feed Pump, and connection hoses. Solid PVC drain line plumbing is sold under separate categories).
IceCap PRO External Algae Scrubber Continuum
| Model Classification | Product SKU | Target Tank Capacity | Total LED Power | Included Feed Pump | Physical Footprint (LxWxH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IceCap PRO Scrubber—Small | IC-AGS-1EXTPRO | Up to 100 Gallons | 12 Watts (2x6W) | EVO-1000 (20W / 250GPH) | 7.0" x 8.7" x 11.8" |
| IceCap PRO Scrubber—Medium | IC-AGS-2EXTPRO | Up to 225 Gallons | 24 Watts (2x12W) | EVO-1000 (20W / 500GPH) | 12.6" x 8.7" x 12.6" |
| IceCap PRO Scrubber—Large | IC-AGS-4EXTPRO | Up to 350 Gallons | 30 Watts (2x15W) | EVO-2000 (30W / 800GPH) | 16.5" x 8.7" x 12.6" |
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap Small External PRO Algae Scrubber Acrylic Mainframe Housing
(1) Removable High-Texture Plastic Mesh Turf Seeding Screen
(1) IceCap EVO-1000 Low-Voltage Water Feed Pump (20 Watt)
(1) Segment of Flexible Vinyl Water Supply Feed Tubing
(1) Flow Regulation Ball Valve and Union Connection Set
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap Small External PRO Algae Turf Scrubber
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-AGS-1EXTPRO
Maximum Recommended Tank Rating: For Aquariums up to 100 Gallons
Maximum Recommended Internal Flow Rate: Up to 250 GPH (Gallons Per Hour)
Total Grow LED Power Output Consumption: 12 Watts Total (Dual 6-Watt Internal Panels)
Operational Drive Voltage Layout: 24V Direct Current Power Supply Grid
Primary Output Drain Fitting Specification: 1-Inch Slip PVC Socket Connection
Emergency Overflow Protection Drain Port: 1/2-Inch Slip PVC Socket Connection
Removable Mesh Screen Sheet Dimensions: 8.5" x 6.0" Surface Area
Overall Outside Footprint Dimensions (LxWxH): 7.0" x 8.7" x 11.8"
Warranty
CoralVue, Inc. hereby guarantees this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- 1 Year
Warranty is activated on the date of purchase.
This Standard Limited Warranty applies and is limited as follows:
- To the product only as long as it remains in the possession of the original purchaser.
- To the product that has not been subject to accident, misuse or abuse.
- To the product that has not been modified, altered, defaced, or had repairs made or attempted by other than CoralVue, Inc.
- That CoralVue be immediately notified in writing within ten (10) days of first knowledge of defect by owner or his agent.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given first opportunity to make any repairs, replacements or corrections to the defective construction within a reasonable period of time.
- Under no circumstances shall CoralVue and/or the Manufacturer be liable by virtue of this warranty or otherwise for damage to any person or property whatsoever for any special, indirect, secondary or consequential damages of any nature however arising out of the use or inability to use because of the product defect.
- Unbox your IC-AGS-1EXTPRO unit. Verify the internal clear acrylic spray bar, the rough plastic mesh screen, and the enclosed waterproof LED panels are seated properly.
- External Mounting Alignment: Position the scrubber chamber flat on an elevated shelving platform or custom bracket directly above your sump tank. Warning: This unit is strictly rated for external use only. It must sit elevated above your sump water level so the drainage pipes can utilize gravity to return water straight back into your sump.
- Plumbing the Drains: Connect rigid PVC lines to the 1-inch primary slip drain outlet and glue a separate 1/2-inch secondary line into the emergency overflow port. Route both lines downward into your sump below the running water line to keep air bubbles and gurgling noises to a minimum.
- Connecting the Intake Line: Submerge the included EVO-1000 pump into your sump’s skimmer or intake chamber. Connect the vinyl hose from the pump output through the inline ball valve directly into the scrubber’s top intake union node.
- Open the top lid cover, turn on the EVO-1000 pump, and check the water flow pattern. Adjust the inline ball valve until water cascades across the mesh sheet in a smooth, even curtain without spraying out the edges.
- Connect the 24V LED power supply blocks to an automatic aquarium controller timer. Set your timer to trigger an opposite 12-hour reverse daylight lighting cycle compared to your display tank.
- Run the Scrubber on a Single LED Panel During the First Week of Break-In. When breaking in a brand new, clean mesh screen, the plastic surface needs time to seed with tiny spores of green hair algae. Blasting the clean screen with the full 12 watts of intense light right out of the box can cause photo-inhibition, blinding the screen and causing a slick sheet of dark brown slime or diatoms instead of thick green turf. Leave one side of the grow light disconnected for the first 5 to 7 days until you see light green fuzz starting to take root across the mesh texture.
- Never Scrape the Screen Completely Bare During Your Weekly Harvests. When your algae screen fills out with a dense, thick green mat (usually every 1 to 3 weeks), it's time to harvest. Take the screen assembly to your utility sink and scrape away the thick gunk using a clean plastic scraper or an old credit card. However, be sure not to scrub the screen completely clean back to the bare plastic. Leave a light, visible layer of green roots embedded deep within the plastic mesh grooves. This acts as a starter seed colony, helping your next batch grow back twice as fast.
- Keep an Eye on the Splash Tube Slots to Prevent Unwanted Flow Restrictions. The water entering your IC-AGS-1EXTPRO feeds into a central horizontal pipe featuring a precision-machined slit along its underside, which drops water straight down onto the mesh screen. Over time, floating bits of old algae mats or calcium scale can occasionally get pushed into this slit, restricting water flow and causing uneven dry spots on your screen. Whenever you harvest your algae, look up inside the feed pipe slot and clean out any trapped particles with a toothpick or a small pipe brush to ensure an even, uniform water curtain.